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Car Programmer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Vehicle Engineer

Evans, GA · On-site

$88K - $121K/yr

Club Car boasts a 60+ year history of industry-leading innovation and design, initially focused on ... Represent Engineering on cross functional new product development teams. * Ensure technical rigor ...

Manufacturing Engineer (Assembly)

Evans, GA · On-site

$61K - $79K/yr

Location: Evans Main Plant Evans, GA Club Car boasts a 60+ year history of industry-leading ... GENERAL The Process Engineer position will lead all Engineering activities and projects on the ...

Mister Car Wash is rewriting the rules of the car wash industry. Headquartered in Tucson, Arizona ... The Engineering Specialist leads the creation of new wash systems and technologies that enhance ...

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Car Programmer information

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How much do car programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for car programmer in the United States is $39.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.72 and $51.44 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How to become a car programmer?

To become a car programmer, you typically need a background in computer science or automotive engineering, with skills in programming languages such as C, C++, or Python. Gaining experience with automotive systems, embedded systems, and tools like CAN bus interfaces is important, and certifications in automotive software development can enhance job prospects.

How much do automotive programmers make?

Automotive programmers, also known as embedded software engineers in the automotive industry, typically earn between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and certifications. Skilled programmers with knowledge of automotive protocols and tools like MATLAB or CAN are in high demand and may earn higher salaries.

What is the difference between Car Programmer vs Automotive Technician?

AspectCar ProgrammerAutomotive Technician
CredentialsTypically requires programming certifications, automotive software trainingRequires ASE certifications, technical training
Work EnvironmentWorks mainly with software, computers, and vehicle ECU systemsHands-on repair, diagnostics, and mechanical work
Industry UsageUsed in automotive software development, ECU tuningUsed in vehicle repair shops, dealerships
Common Search IntentCar Programmer vs Automotive TechnicianCar Programmer vs Automotive Technician

While both roles involve working with vehicles, Car Programmers focus on software development and ECU programming, whereas Automotive Technicians handle repairs and diagnostics. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or service provider.

What is a car programmer?

A car programmer is a technician or engineer who modifies or updates a vehicle's electronic control units (ECUs) using specialized software and hardware tools. This role often involves tuning engine performance, resetting fault codes, or customizing vehicle settings, requiring knowledge of automotive electronics and coding skills.

What are some of the main challenges faced by car programmers when integrating new software with existing vehicle systems?

Car programmers often encounter challenges when integrating new software with existing vehicle systems due to the complexity and variability of automotive hardware and legacy code. Ensuring compatibility across diverse electronic control units (ECUs) and maintaining strict safety and security standards are common hurdles. Additionally, programmers must frequently collaborate with hardware engineers and testing teams to validate software performance under real-world driving conditions. Adapting to evolving automotive standards and technologies is also essential for continued success in this field.

What is the highest paying job in the car industry?

In the automotive industry, senior engineering roles such as Chief Engineer or Director of Engineering typically have the highest salaries, often exceeding six figures. These positions require extensive experience, advanced technical skills, and leadership responsibilities, and they often involve overseeing vehicle development and innovation projects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Car Programmer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Car Programmer, you need strong programming skills (such as C/C++), an understanding of automotive systems, and typically a degree in computer engineering or a related field. Familiarity with automotive software platforms like AUTOSAR, diagnostic tools, and embedded systems development environments is common. Problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills in this role. These skills enable the development of reliable, safe, and efficient automotive software that meets industry standards and customer needs.
What cities are hiring for Car Programmer jobs? Cities with the most Car Programmer job openings:
What states have the most Car Programmer jobs? States with the most job openings for Car Programmer jobs include:

Connected Car Technology Manager

Volvo Car Corporation

Mahwah, NJ • On-site

$105K - $175K/yr

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago


Job description

Let's introduce ourselves
Volvo Cars of America - Position: Connected Car Technology Manager
Mahwah, NJ
The Connected Car team sits within our Digital organization and is responsible for the end-to-end delivery of the connected consumer experience within the Americas region. This includes working with Android based infotainment, the Volvo Cars mobile app, and our legacy car platforms. Globally, we support the rollout, testing, and provide local expertise for new products and services coming to our customers from an infotainment, connectivity, or mobile perspective.
As the Connected Car Technology Manager, you are someone who works closely with digital product management locally and globally to understand what new products, functionality, and vehicle systems are destined for the Americas markets. Strategically, you will play a key role in defining the overall solution approach for the products, capabilities, and technologies in accordance with the agreed upon timeline.
You are responsible for the management of our Connected Car Team, their operations, and their performance. The goal being that the teams are self-managing in completing their work, but you are there to support them on a procedural, escalation, and prioritization level when it comes to their day-to-day responsibilities and workload.
As the role will be involved from start to finish in various product and platform projects, it is essential to understand all aspects of each initiative, from both a business and technical point of view. This implies building a full working knowledge of technologies and architectures in scope (both existing features and new).
What you'll do
Act As Business Liaison Between Teams
• Work closely with the R&D teams in Sweden and Americas business stakeholders on setting expectations with product development initiatives, functionality, and release deadlines.
• Act as the SME for product and development teams to translate business requirements and be able to make technical / strategic decisions to drive accurate offerings for the Americas market.
• Maintain relationships with suppliers, R&D department personnel, and business management personnel.
• Responsible for alignment with global development teams to drive roadmap and feature synergies, identify overlap, and work towards compatibility in multiple markets.
Ensure On Time & Quality Delivery of Features
• Drive the delivery of Proof-Of-Concepts and Spike Solutions throughout the development lifecycle
• Ensure all upcoming product releases are thoroughly vetted for the market, documented, and that relevant stakeholders (product teams, marketing, customer care, etc.) are adequately informed.
• With strategy in mind, assist in preparation of business cases, technology requests, and escalation documentation for upcoming Connected Car changes.
Manage Resources
• Oversee day-to-day operations of the Connected Car team, ensuring their performance and providing direction.
• Verify the solution approach is correct and being implemented in the approved manner (compliance, legal, etc.)
• Expeditiously clear obstacles that may arise between stakeholders, other teams, and vendors to maintain project momentum and ensure on time and functional deliveries in the areas of infotainment and connectivity.
• Proactively identify opportunities and support in team growth to meet velocity needs of the business
• Responsibility for fleet of test vehicles across platforms and environments
What you'll bring
• Sound technical knowledge, strategic/analytical thought process, articulative in problem-solving and decision making, backed with good verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven experience in project and team management across multiple simultaneous projects with varied timelines.
• Ability to successfully manage technical engineering teams as part of a larger work group.
• Understanding of vehicle infotainment, connectivity, and mobile applications in an OEM landscape is a plus.
• BS/BA in Computer Science/Engineering or equivalent experience.
Salary Range:
• $105,525 to $175,050
Compensation is determined based on experience, qualifications, internal equity, location and company guidelines